Intoxicating! The New M3 GTS From BMW

It was actually a PC game years ago that let me know about BMW M3. Then I became familiar with the dynamics of them through "The M3 Challenge", an another PC graphic. I never had an opportunity to see M3 on roads, except one instance, somewhere around the Bengaluru city. I love BMW M models, especially M3 coupe that is available in India.

The BMW's M division found that the standard M3 is not extreme enough for its exclusive track-customers. So, they worked on a mission to perfect their M3 into a piece of purest sports equipment. And the result is the new M3 GTS. This hardcore coupe, codenamed "Jagermeister" in deference to the German distillery's legendary 1980s race car livery, and is entirely appropriate because no road-going M3 has been quite focused, inherently athletic as this. The GTS is essentially a track-day car that happens to be road legal. As I never had an opportunity to put myself behind the wheels of this M3, it is authentic to brief the features and driving dynamics of the GTS, drawing inspiration from Greg Kable's driving experience at the Ascari Race Resort in southern Spain.

The elaborately aero-dynamic styling of the M3 GTS is unique to look at outside with its modified bumper with three ample cooling ducts in the front and a massive rear-spoiler on the boot lid. Leathering on the dashboard the GTS logo, the roll cage and the one piece carbon fibre Recaro bucket seats – all makes the interior sporty. Instead of a back seat, one can find a fire extinguisher and forget the comfort-oriented features like radio and air-conditioning (though buyers can choose them as no-cost option). Together, they endow the car with a more functional appearance fully in keeping with its track-led brief.

More than anything else, the basis of the GTS's added performance is in its unique engine. This is no mildly tweaked version of the M3's naturally aspirated 4.0 litre V8. Rather, BMW has developed what amounts to a whole new power plant with a race-grade block. The bore remains at 92mm but the stroke has been extended by 6.8mm to 82mm, resulting in a capacity of 4.4 litres. With the increase in swept volume come a 30bhp boost to 44bhp at the same 8300rpm.More significantly, however, is the increase in torque. It jumps from 40.7kgm to 45kgm and is developed 150 rpm lower at 3750rpm.

Channeling the new car's added reserves is the beefed-up version of the M3's optional Getrag-engineered seven-speed M DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission). It makes light work of the engine's added reserves, providing rapid shifts in manual mode. It's definitely the right choice for this kind of car. Greg says this hardcore M3 goes faster, feels faster and sounds faster than any road-going versions of Munich's legendary coupe before it. It hits 100kph in just 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190mph (306kph) at the red line in seventh gear with the splitter and rear wing in their most neutral settings. More than its purest straight-line speed, the GTS is inherently sharp, responsive and accurate – something apparent on the very first corner of the circuit, he says. The steering is heavenly heavier than the standard hydraulic set-up with rewarding precision. Even at high cornering speeds, it remains wonderfully flat and neutral.

The M3 GTS is offered only in one colour scheme – the vivid orange. Estimated at a price of Rs.86 lakhs (without customs duties), no one can buy this M3 anymore! Because with the production capped at 150 units, every car has already been sold in advance.